Deontay Wilder — I Fought Cyber-Bully Zelenoff… To Save His Life!!

by TMZ Sports — Boxing champ Deontay Wilder — the reigning WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight — says Zelenoff has been harassing him for 3 years … calling him the N-word in texts and in phone calls and even threatening to harm his young daughter.

“He said he was going to murder me. He said he was going to tape my daughter’s mouth … when dealing with my kids, that’s below the belt. That’s what really got me.”

Wilder says he finally got fed up with the constant harassment and told Zelenoff to meet him at the Hollywood Boxing Gym on May 7 to settle their beef once and for all.

But before they squared off, Wilder says his manager drew up a waiver for Zelenoff to sign … in which Charlie acknowledged that he would be fighting a trained boxer and agreed not to sue for any damage he incurred during the bout.

“It was a great contract and he was willing to sign it,” Wilder says … “He agreed to all of the terms. He knew what was going on.”

Of course, Wilder proceeded to beat Charlie’s ass — and he hopes Zelenoff learned his lesson.

“I genuinely care for the guy. I want him to stop [harassing people] before he messes with the wrong person. You never know who you’re dealing with.”

Sidenote — Wilder was wearing two RIGHT gloves during the fight … because he accidentally grabbed the wrong set when he set out to the gym that day.

But Deontay says the mix-up was a blessing in disguise, because had he connected with the left hook while wearing the right gear … he’s afraid he could’ve caused some serious damage.

“He would have been hurt.”

As for Charlie’s request for a rematch, Wilder says he wont fight Zelenoff again — saying, “I feel like I made my point with him already.”

Deontay Wilder vs Internet Troll Charlie Zelenoff

Undefeated heavyweight champion boxer Deontay Wilder BEAT THE HELL out of a real life Internet troll who had been harassing him for years … and TMZ Sports has the insane video.

The guy who got his face bashed in is Charlie Zelenoff — a wannabe fighter who’s been trolling Wilder for years with harassing phone calls and deeply personal jabs on social media.

Wilder claims Charlie has not only hurled racial slurs at him — but also made disparaging comments about his young daughter, who was diagnosed with spina bifida.

Zelenoff had recently challenged Wilder to fight him at a boxing gym in L.A. — and Wilder, deciding enough was enough, met him at the Hollywood Boxing Gym late Wednesday night.

Wilder tried to fight Zelenoff in the ring — but CZ threw a c heap shot and ran for the door (see video below).

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When he finally returned, the squared off on the main floor of the gym — and what ensued was a pure ass kicking.

When Zelenoff picked himself up off the floor … a furious Wilder told him, “Don’t you ever call me a n**ger again. Don’t you ever say you’re going to tape my daughter.”

Zelenoff eventually ran from the building … again … but not before saying, “I’m the best. I’m still the best.”